Charles Darwin's Barnacle and David Bowie's Spider: How Scientific Names Celebrate Adventurers, Heroes, and Even a Few Scoundrels

by Stephen B. Heard, Jonathan Todd Ross (Narrator)

An engaging history of the surprising, poignant, and occasionally scandalous stories behind scientific names and their cultural significance. Ever since Carl Linnaeus's binomial system of scientific names was adopted in the eighteenth century, scientists have been eponymously naming organisms in ways that both honor and vilify their namesakes. This charming, informative, and accessible history examines the fascinating stories behind taxonomic nomenclature, from Linnaeus himself naming a small and unpleasant weed after a rival botanist to the recent influx of scientific names based on pop-culture icons-including David Bowie's spider, Frank Zappa's jellyfish, and Beyonce's fly. Exploring the naming process as an opportunity for scientists to express themselves in creative ways, Stephen B. Heard's fresh approach shows how scientific names function as a window into both the passions and foibles of the scientific community and as a more general indicator of the ways in which humans relate to, and impose order on, the natural world.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, History, Audiobook, Nature, Biology

Audio CD

First published March 17, 2020

Reviews

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

FUN WITH TAXONOMY

In biology, taxonomy (from the ancient Greek taxis nomia meaning ‘arrangement method’) is the scientific study of naming, defining, and classifying groups of biological organisms based on shared characteristics. (Wikipedia).

There is, it turns out, a fairly flexible set of guidelines when it comes to naming earth’s newly discovered flora and fauna. Stephen Heard, himself an evolutionary ecologist, brings taxonomy to the masses by highlighting some of the odd, entertaining, humorous and bizarre examples of taxonomic nomenclature.

SOME OF MY FAVORITES

Beyoncé’s Horsefly: Scaptia beyonceae

Frank Zappa’s Jellyfish: Phialella zappai

Gary Larson’s Louse: Strigiphilus garylarsoni

SpongeBob's Fungus: Spongiforma squarepantsii

Jerry Garcia’s Roach: Cryptocercus garciai

Jon Stewart’s Wasp: Aleiodes stewarti

Stephen Colbert’s Spider: Aptostichus stephencolberti

Donald Trump’s Moth: Neopalpa donaldtrumpi—Noteworthy for its yellowish head scales and its comparatively tiny genitalia.

[Triinu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Minu arvamuse leiab blogist https://triinuraamatud.wordpress.com/...

[Holly Bik · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written and quick tour of all the aspects related to the scientific naming of species. I was very pleased to see that the author included a strong focus on women and indigenous contributors to taxonomy throughout the ages.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This very entertaining and illuminative book presents how organisms are named after people. It is a kind of etymology, packed with personal stories of biologists/taxonomists and those they wish to acknowledge in some way. Certainly the book sheds light on these names and histories but also draws attention to the need for more investigation into biodiversity and support of taxonomy as a science and taxonomists.

The book includes a Preface, an Introduction, 19 Chapters, an Epilogue, section of Notes, a Sources and Further Reading section, Acknowledgements, and an Index.

A great read for those interested in the history of biology and taxonomy, for where the names come from, and an insight into scientists as well.

Recommended, and highly so.

[Noah Hunt-Isaak · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Three species of lice afflict us: the head louse, the body louse, and the pubic louse. These species are, however, only the tip of the liceberg”

[Tilda · Rating 5 out of 5]

„Kõik teavad, et teadus võib olla vanamoeliselt nüri ja igav ning taimedele ja loomadele antud ladinakeelsed nimed on ehk teaduse kõige vanamoelisem ja igavam osa. Need on pikad, raskesti meeldejäetavad ja hääldamatud. Heal juhul on tegu möödapääsmatu nuhtlusega – millegagi, mida bioloogiatudengid peavad teatud sorti repsimisrituaalina pähe tuupima. Kõik teavad seda. Kuid kõik nad eksivad. Selge see, et mõned ladinakeelsed nimed on keerulised ja imelikud, kuid teised on jälle imelised.“ (lk 14)

Jah. Kui ma mõtlen asjade peale, mis tunduvad mulle põnevad, siis ma ei mõtle taksonoomiast (teadusharu, mis tegeleb eluslooduse süstematiseerimisega) – mitte kunagi. Ometi lugesin ma selle raamatu läbi, kaanest kaaneni ja vähe sellest, et huvitav, oli mul isegi lõbus.

„Mõelda vaid! Nimetada mingi umbrohi korraliku kristliku naise järgi!“ (lk 8 )

Et siis, raamat sellest, kuidas taimed ja loomad endale teadusliku nime saavad.

Keegi ei tea, kui paljude erinevate liikidega me planeeti jagame, kuid selge on, et paljudega ja enamus neist on veel kas avastamata või kirjeldamata või mõlemat. Selleks, et kõiki neid liike hallata või kasvõi nende peale mõelda, peavad neil olema nimed. Enne kui Rootsi teadlane Carl von Linné mõtles välja binaarse nomenklatuuri, kasutati kirjeldavaid liiginimesid. Kirjeldavad liiginimed olid mõnel juhul küll täpsed, kuid tihti liiga pikad ja raskesti meeldejäetavad. Lisaks, mida rohkem liike avastati ja kirjeldati, seda täpsemalt tuli seda teha e nimed muutusid järjest pikemateks. Linné binaarse klassifikatsiooni kasutusele võtuga kadusid liiga pikad liiginimed. Asemele tekkisid nimed, mis koosnesid perekonnanimest (näiteks Acer – umbes 130 liigist koosnev vahtrate perekond) ja sellele järgnevast teisest nimest, mis võib olla liiki kirjeldav (nt Acer rubrum – punane vaher) aga võib seda ka mitte olla, nt Acer davidii on Davidi vaher (eponüüm e inimese järgi nime saanud). St, nüüd tekkis teadlastel võimalus olla loominguline, jäädvustada enda poolt avastatud liigi nimesse killuke oma töö- või isiklikust elust, deklareerida oma sümpaati või isegi antipaatia. Nt Linné armastas Vana – Kreeka mütoloogiat ning pani mütoloogiast pärit nimed 544. liblikaliigile.

„Kaks esimest rühma pälvisid Trooja sõjaga seotud nimed – üks rühm troojalaste poolt võidelnute ja teine rühm kreeklaste poolt võidelnute auks. Linné alustas suursuguselt – esimene liik sai nimeks Papilo priamus (Priamos oli toonane Trooja kuningas) ja teine P. hector (Hektor oli Primose esmasündinud poeg, üks troojalaste peamiseid väejuhte). Teised rühmad said oma nimed muusade järgi (muusad on Vana – Kreeka kunstide, kirjanduse ja teaduste jumalannad), nümfide (Vana – Kreeka loodusjumalannad) ja ka argonautide järgi (Iasoni laeva Argo meremehed, kes tõid Kreekasse tagasi kuldvillaku). Enamik Linné poolt pääsusabade perekonda lisatud liblikaliikidest on praeguseks ümber paigutatud teistesse perekondadesse, ent kui mõni üksik erand välja arvata, on liigiepiteedid jäänud samaks. Näiteks Papilio pariamus kannab praeguseks nime Ornithoptera priamus ja Papilio hector on Pachliopta hector.“ (lk 182)

Kuid mitte kõik teadlased ei armasta Vana – Kreeka mütoloogiat. Mõni armastab popkultuuri või poliitikat, kirjandust, sporti, oma naisi-lapsi ja nii pikalt edasi. Palju liike on nimetatud avaldamaks austust erinevatele teadlastele, kolleegidele, kamraadidele. Paljusid liike on nimetatud inimeste järgi, kes ühel või teisel moel on andnud oma panuse konkreetse liigi avastamisse. Nii on raamatus peatükk eelmise sajandi algul toimetanud südikast muuseumikuraatorist Marjorie Courtenay-Latimerist, kelle auks anti nimi kalale. Või lugu Madakaskaril tegutsenud doktor Berthe Rakotosamimananast, kelle järgi sai endale nime pisike leemur. Huvitav on see, et autoril on kõige muu juures olnud mahti arutada ka nt soolise võrdõiguslikuse teemal. Selgub, et mehed kasutavad liikidele nime andes (ja eriti muidugi lindudele ja muudele kaunitele olevustele) hoopis sagedamini oma naiste nimesid kui nais(teadlased) oma meeste omi. Aga ega looduses ei ole ainult lilled, liblikad ja armastus. On ka kiusu, kadedust, kättemaksuiha. Ja muidugi igasuguseid jälke elukaid ja organisme ja isegi mitte et väga jälke, aga selliseid … No nt, kui sul on, ühelt poolt üks eriti ebameeldiv, nt konkureeriv või lihtsalt kiuslik kolleeg ja teiselt poolt äsja avastatud, nime vajav liik jumal teab mis mutukat, kelle oluliseks liigi tunnuseks on eriti lühike suguliige – no kes suudaks ahvatlusele vastu panna? Hiljem võib ju muidugi kirjutada, et avaldasin austust, aga … 🙂 Siinkohal ei tasu meelt heita neil õeluskottidel, kes teadlased ei ole – raamatus on terve peatükk pühendatud BIOPATi nimelisele programmile, mille kaudu on võimalik osta endale õigus anda nimi mõnele äsja avastatud liigile. Jääkarud, anakondad ja flamingod on kõik juba vist ära avastatud, kirjeldatud ja nimetatud, aga igast pisiussikesi või muid kusagil mülkas askeldavaid organisme jagub kindlasti veel paljudeks, paljudeks aastateks …

„Stan Vlasimsky viis perekondliku nimeandmise järgmisele tasandile, kui maksis nimede eest nii oma naise kui nelja lapse auks: orhidee perekonnast epidendrum naise Lezlie auks – Epidendrum lezlieae – ning kaks konna, liblikas ja sisalik laste Claudia, Liami, Magdeline ja Caideni auks – Dendrobates claudiae, Boophis liami, Plutodes magdelinae ja Euspondylus caidenii. Et ise mitte päris välja jääda, toetas Vlasimsky ka ühele küllaltki silmapaistvale Uus-Guineas elavale kärsakale nimeandmist terve perekonna auks: Eupholus vlasimskii.“ (lk 199)

No ja siis veel igasugused irvhambad, onju. Ma ei hakka ette ütlema, milliseid erilisi liigitunnuseid kannavad Donalt Trumpi või Beyoncé järgi nime saanud loom.

St, st, mis mulle selles raamatus kokkuvõttes ehk kõige rohkem meeldis, on see, kui selgelt siit ilmneb, et esiteks, inimene juba kord on selline, et rääkides ükskõik millest (kärbsest või leemurist või mõnest kaunist lillest), tahab ta eelkõige ikka ja alati rääkida endast, inimesest. Ja teiseks, et kõik on seotud kõige. Loed kusagilt suvalise putuka või rohukõrre nime ja kui huvi on, võid leida nime tagant terve loo, sellest, kes, kus või kuidas avastas, mis inimene avastaja või nimetaja oli, mis tema südand vaevas või tema hinge kosutas. Tohutult palju lugusid, huvitavad, erinevad, südamlikud ja naljakad.

„Ladinakeelsete eponüümsete liiginimede taga on peidus tuhanded lood, see raamat sisaldab vaid murdosa nendest. /—/ … – eponüümsed nimed lõimivad maailma kokku. Nii saame teada mitte ainult neid nimesid kandvatest organismidest, vaid ka nende nimede taga olevatest mõtetest, nimekandjatest ja nimeandjate isiksustest.
Häbi ja au, unustus ja kuulsus, vaen ja armastus, kaotus ja lootus. Ühes ladinakeelses nimes on seda kõike.“ (lk 226).

Võimalik, et raamatu peamine eesmärk on tõmmata tähelepanu just sellele, et taksonoomia ei ole kuiv, mõttetu ja suuremalt jaolt tavainimesele hääldamatu teadus, vaid midagi hoopis enamat. Ja kuis, siis sellega sai autor päris hästi hakkama. Nagu keegi siin juba kirjutas, pargis jalutades loen taimenime sisaldavaid sildikesi nüüd hoopis teise pilguga.

Kui ma nüüd mõtlen, siis olen päris mitmeid lugusid siit raamatust edasi rääkinud. Lapsele, mitmele kolleegile, siin ja seal. Sest on, mida rääkida, on toredad lood.

Ja veel. Ühest lahedastst kokkusattumusest. lugesin seda raamatut paralleelselt Roger Zelazny “Igikeltsa ja tulega” ja seal kusagil raamatu päris alguses, autoripoolses sissejuhatuses, on selline lõik:

“Vahepeal olin ma saanud musta kassi nimega Amber, musta vöö aikidos, veel kaks Hugot, umbes kuue riiulimeetri jagu raamatuid ja omanimelise karpvähi (Sclerocypris zelaznyi – suur tänu, doktor Martens). Oli siiski viga sellega Jack C. Haldeman II ees kiidelda, sest temal, nagu selgus on omanimeline paeluss (Hymenapolis haldemanii – alati tuleb olla ettevaatlik, keda oma kangelaste prototüüpideks valida). Nii palju siis vastuseks neile, kes on küsinud, kuidas ma olen elanud.”

[James F]

Did you ever wonder why different species have such odd names, well then this is the book for you. A fun and interesting history of people who wandered the world look for things that others hadn't ever noticed, of cared to name.
Racism, greed, and ego, all the things that make science what it is.

[Min · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title is definitely meant to attract readers. The book subject of eponymous labels of discovered species is certainly hinted at in the title, however, those specific -and other references to famous people- stories are told in passing.

The struggle to make popular science books attractive to prospective readers is ever the challenge to balance the truth-thus-far, and genuinely compelling prose. The author explores many angles, and themes found in taxonomy from the ancients to the modern classification methods, and its mores.
I appreciate the examination of the history of exploration being driven almost entirely, and exclusively by wealthy, Western European men, thereby the arrangement, and distribution of eponymous designations belong to names of that origin, most especially when used as a dedication to persons that initially advanced the science of, for example biology-- Darwin's name is found in nearly every level of biological naming be it plant, animal, fossil, microcellular, or smaller. Those inquisitive persons that opened the areas of botany, mycology, or entomology --for example-- often find themselves honored with several Order, Family, Genus, or Species.
The author shares those the stories of a few intrepid seekers that are less often represented such as women, and native cultures and how their names grace the codification of a creature of Earth.

I think of this book more as a history of science with a glimpse into how that has led some of Nature's creatures to have names from fiction, like Harry Potter's Sorting Hat, music David Bowie's orange haired spider, or as an homage to person's considered worthy of remembrance as an honor, or a dishonor.

[Autumn Siders · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's in a name? I mean, does a "rosa minutifolia" smell any sweeter than a "rosa stellata?" Heard's history of the naming of species through Linnaeus' system certainly doesn't cover all species, but provides a fun and cultural look at what goes into the process. Species bear the names they are given whether they come from celebrities, scientists, lovers, enemies, or even an auction to the highest bidder in the hope to raise money for scientific endeavors.
"Charles Darwin's Barnacle and David Bowie's Spider" not only delves into the origins of names, some more scandalous than others, but it also points out the importance of this research and what it means for planet Earth and all its inhabitants.

[Celeste · Rating 2 out of 5]

Imma be straight, the reason I went into this book was the title. When science and names and the word scoundrel are in a book title, I tend to throw caution out the window and just go for it.

The problem was that while informative, it was a little too dry, which made for a rather drab level of engagement on my part. As much as I love hearing about insects like lice and wasps (I’m hoping the sarcasm is evident here) the whole thing was really bogged down by all the scientific names. The history behind the names of various creature got monotonous really fast, and it was disillusioning by the time I was a quarter of a way through of the audiobook.

All in all, not my favourite, and if anything I would consider it more reference material than casual reading material.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this. It got into the fun little stories behind many of the names without getting slow or bogged down. The author managed to find many examples for species that are familiar, and so every time I see those plants or animals, I'll have these new stories to connect them to. Reading this added to my day to day enjoyment of nature.

[Paperclippe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was really interesting and informative and I sincerely appreciated the continuing thread about needing to welcome more women and indigenous people into the sciences but it got a little bogged down in spots and I admit I lost focus every now and again

[Lis Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Carl Linnaeus invented the binomial naming system, he revolutionized taxonomy, and aside from the purely practical effects, he made possible eponymous naming--naming plants and animals after people. Stephen B. Heard gives us a very lively account of eponymous names, the people they commemorate, and the personalities involved. There are, as the subtitle says, "adventurers, heroes, and even a few scoundrels." It's very entertaining!

But in addition, tracing these names, the people who bestowed them and the people they commemorate, also reveals changes both in how the science of taxonomy is practiced, and in who is practicing it. This, too is lively interesting, and filled with colorful characters. There are also controversies such as whether scientists should ever name new species after themselves (social opinion in the world of taxonomy is no, and in fact it happens only rarely), and whether it's acceptable to name a species after someone to insult them. Again, opinion is strongly no--but with an added twist. It would be crass, but it's also pointless. Anyone who cares enough about the science to notice and care will consider it the honor it normally is, and if they don't care about science that much, they will barely notice.

There's also the practice of selling naming rights to new species, which seems like a temptation that could easily lead to corruption and commercialization, but hasn't.

There are many species named for the wives and daughters of the men who discovered them, but the species named after the husbands and sons of the women who discovered them has only started to happen relatively recently, because women were largely excluded from science. A related issue is the extreme rarity of species named for indigenous people of the areas were discovered, despite indigenous people having been critical members of the expeditions (largely led by white men of European origin or descent) that discovered them.

It's a fascinating book, and Jonathan Todd Ross does a great job of reading it in a clear and engaging way.

Recommended.

I bought this audiobook.

[Alina Rozhkova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Узнала кучу замечательных вещей

Есть паук Heteropoda davidbowie (худой, длинноногий и рыжий) и муха Scaptia beyonceae (с округлым золотым задом), но есть и жук Anophthalmus hitleri (мелкий, бурый и довольно невзрачный). Линней назвал в честь себя род травы, но всем говорил, что это не он её так назвал, а другие учёные, признающие его заслуги. И еще Линней назвал именем своего коллеги мелкий, неприятно липучий и довольно непривлекательный на вид сорняк с крошечными гениталиями.

А лично вы можете всего за 3000$ купить название нового вида - маленькую обезьянку с золотистой шерстью назовут в честь вашего любимого мужа, а может уродливого таракана назовут именем вашей тещи.

[Kitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

see oli kõik täitsa okei ja huvitav ja loetav, aga oleks vb olnud huvitavam, kui mul oleks elus enne pähe tulnud mingid küsimused selle üle, millised on loomade, taimede jne teaduslikud nimed ja miks just sellised. praegu oli nii, et lugesin, ja mõtlesin, et see on kõik väga kena, aga mis siis :)

see alapealkirjas ja ka mujal olev sõna "pühitsevad" jäi mind närima, ma saan aru, et see on originaalis olnud "celebrate" ja ma saan aru, et inimesi ei saa nimed vähemalt selles mõttes "tähistada" ja mul ei ole ka paremat tõlget endal pakkuda, aga lihtsalt... iga kord, kui lugesin, siis kriipis kuidagi.

[Fırat Kutlu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eğer biyologsanız veya taksonomi ile ilgileniyorsanız çok rahat okursunuz. Aksi halde latince isimler arasında sizin için yorucu bir okuma olabilir. Ancak yabancı isimlere ve latince isimlere takılmadan okursanız (ki hiç bir şey kaybetmezsiniz) yaklaşık 300 yıllık bir dönem içerisinde canlıların isimlerine konu olan olayların ve insanların hikayelerinin ne kadar etkileyici olduğuna tanık olursunuz.

[Judith Leipold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fact, fun, and fancy with Linnaeus leading the parade of names. Biota isn't just for nerds. Despite the Latin genus and species, I found this one entirely engaging. But then, I was the nerd who got an A in Dr. Ingrham's college biology. She would've loved this one, I certainly did.

[Wendy Wagner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chock full of fun and interesting nuggets of information!

Unfortunately, it's basically just a compendium of trivia with no compelling narrative, so it's not exactly a page-turner. On the plus side, it's pretty good for keeping on the back of the toilet.

[Ahsii · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unutulmaması gereken onlarca isim ve hikaye… Bilim insanlarının “çocuksu” yanlarını görmek çok hoşuma gitti. Onca çalışmadan sonra yorgun argın bir şekilde bulunan türe sevdikleri şarkıcının ya da ailelerinin isimlerini verirken nasıl gururlu ve heyecanlı olduklarını hayal ettim ve eğlendim

[Svante Martinsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, with lots of fun and interesting stories about the persons behind the Scientific names of species.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an absolute delightful journey through the history of Latin species names and the scientists, celebrities and others who are honoured through the names.

[Judi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting read about how eponymous names in taxonomy came about and some of the more intriguing stories behind the names. Some of it might make interesting trivia in the right groups...

[Tatyana · Rating 4 out of 5]

В целом интересно, но немного пресновата и предсказуема.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent science writing

[Reelika Raimet · Rating 4 out of 5]

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